teachers & leadership

Tina Brimo,  Director
Tina has over ten years of experience working with and advocating for young children. She believes that children learn through play and thrive when they feel cared for, challenged and respected. Tina and her family immigrated from Guyana when she was 12 years old to New York. Since then, she has lived in New York, Vermont, Baltimore, and Washington, D.C. She has taught and worked in the DC area for a combined eight years. Tina has her undergraduate degree from the City College of New York, and her Masters degree from Concordia University in Portland. She is very excited to embark on this journey as the director of Gan Shalom and is also thrilled that her daughter, Simone, will be joining the community in the fall.  On weekends you can find her at a Zumba class, out running, or caring for her extensive collection of house plants. She loves being a part of the Hill Havurah Community!
 Mary McDowney,  Co-Teacher 
Mary McDowney was born and raised here in Washington, D.C. and currently resides in Silver Spring, M.D. Mother to three daughters and four grandchildren, she enjoys shopping, cooking and tending to her many plants in her spare time. Mary believes that children learn best in a loving, caring, and hands on play-based  environment. This year she is looking forward to fostering a fun learning environment for both herself and the students of Gan Shalom.
Lauren Lanita Lewis,  Co-Teacher 
Lauren is the rare native Washingtonian but has also lived and taught in Alaska and Florida. She has more than 20 years of experience encouraging children to explore and grow using her love of storytelling, literature and the arts. Lauren is currently pursuing her 300 hour Yoga teacher certification with an emphasis on Restorative and Chair yoga and teaching in a Trauma Informed and Equitable manner. Her hobbies include anything to do with yarn (knitting , crocheting, spinning etc) , reading and obsessively collecting recipes that she may one day actually cook.
Shalita Simmons,  Co-Teacher 
Shalita has been working in ECE for 25 years. Her hobbies are creating bow ties and headbands out of used jeans and shopping on Amazon, Shein, and Akira for clothes and shoes for everyone. She is the mother of two daughters and Mimi to three grandchildren. She is currently in school finishing up her degree and is super excited to work with her class this year at Gan. Shalita is a self-starter and is always here if you need advice or for any concerns. She knows that this year is going to be an awesome one and is very excited.
Samuel (Sam) Osborne, Co-Teacher
Sam has been working in the childcare field for eight years. He spent time at the great St. Augustine University where he majored in Elementary Education. Sam currently holds a CDA in infants and toddlers. Sam has a five-year-old son, with whom he likes to spend his free time. Sam's favorite food is anything potatoes. 
Sara Carnochan, Jewish Education Consultant
Sara has worked in education since 2006.  Her focus throughout her career in education has been in experiential learning, outdoor education, and inspiring curiosity.  She has taught in private, public, and charter schools and with students ranging in age from preschool up through high school.  Sara has been connected with Gan Shalom since 2018, serving as a frequent parent classroom volunteer when her oldest attended Gan Shalom 3 mornings per week. Since then, she has served for three years on the Gan Shalom Parent Board, as Membership Chair, Liaison to the Hill Havurah, and as President during 2020-2021, when her younger daughter was a student with the Tutim class.  Most recently Sara served as the Interim Director from January 2022-July 2022. Sara is honored to maintain her connection to Gan Shalom and continue sharing her passion for Jewish hands-on learning. 

parent leadership

Gan Shalom Parent Advisory Committee (GPAC)

President: Carly Clark president.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
Vice President: Valerie Bluestein vicepresident.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org 
Treasurer: Erin Fackler treasurer.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
Membership Chair: Tara Fortier membership.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
Communications Chair: James Baker-McKee communications.ganshalom@hillhavurah.org
​Liaison to Hill Havurah Board: Colin Chazen LiaisontoHH.GanShalom@hillhavurah.org